ReachGlobal Q&A With Aaron Burchfield

For more than 100 years, the EFCA has sent missionaries around the world to establish the Church where the gospel isn’t known. From Hans Von Qualen, the first international missionary to China, to more than 500 missionaries on almost every continent, the EFCA is committed to the Great Commission’s call to make disciples of all people. To learn more about how God is working through international ministries, we asked Aaron Burchfield how God called him to missions, how he's using his gifts in his ministry context and how he's seen the gospel transform lives. 

Q: Tell me about your path to missions—and specifically, your path to ReachGlobal.  

Before joining ReachGlobal, we led an ordinary life back home. I had a career in corporate banking and Denise was a stay-at-home mom after leaving a corporate sales job at a telecommunications company. Missions was on our hearts, but we assumed it was not for us. Over time, God nudged us out of our comfort zone. We felt a growing burden for places where so few know Jesus—a place like Berlin, where countless people have never met a follower of Christ. Our introduction to ReachGlobal came through our church family. ReachGlobal’s vision to invest in disciplemakers to establish the Church where the gospel isn’t known resonated deeply. We loved that they were about people and relationships, genuine discipleship, local relationships and long-term impact. 

Q: How are you using your God-given gifts on the mission field? 

I serve on the Berlin City Team leadership, so I spend a lot of time encouraging, coaching and equipping our team on the ground. I get to walk alongside teammates—helping them grow, problem-solve and thrive in their calling. Denise’s gift for connection and mentoring shines in more personal ways. She regularly meets one-on-one with teammates, local believers, not-yet-believing friends and neighbors by listening, praying and offering steady encouragement. We also volunteer together at a local neighborhood café where we serve coffee and waffles—but more importantly, we’re present with people. 

Q: How are you seeing God transform lives in your context—and in what ways can others/churches join you in that work? 

One story that stands out: a friend came to a church plant hangout—just a casual BBQ and bowling night—and something about the community sparked curiosity, and over time, honest questions turned into deep conversations about faith. Eventually, someone asked, “What’s keeping you from coming to Jesus?” He paused and said, “Nothing.” That day, he gave his life to Christ. A few weeks later, we celebrated his baptism in a Berlin lake. Today, he’s growing in his faith and sharing it with others.  

Not all transformation happens quickly. For years, our next-door neighbors were kind but distant—common in Berlin culture. Then, something shifted. A simple comment in a hallway led to a realization: we’d lived beside each other for six years but barely knew one another. Then everything changed. We shared coffee, swapped stories and spent hours in conversation. One day, they came over just to talk and process something deeply emotional. It was a sacred moment of trust. Since then, they’ve invited us in as true friends. We believe these are the first steps on their journey toward Jesus. 

We can’t do this alone. Several churches have come to Berlin, walked our streets, met our community and caught the vision. Whether you pray, send or come, thank you for walking with us. God is moving—and we’re grateful to have you in it.